@Misterralls: "I just watched the last episode of the West Wing, in which a Democratic 
Three-way tie led to a convention in which a candidate was actually 
picked for President.  Not, in the real world the convention has really 
just been a coronation ceremony and has been for a long time now.
My question is: could this ever change?  Could there be a fluke like in 
the West Wing verse where a Party goes to its convention and still 
doesn't have a candidate?
Mike Ralls
<url>
"Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It's not a 
day when you lounge around doing nothing; its when you had everything to 
do, and you've done it." - Margaret Thatcher"
    @dsgood: "<quote>
It was that way in the past, so it's not unchangeable.
What I think is the most likely way to have the Presidential candidate
chosen at the convention:  The expected Presidential and Vice-Presidential
candidates are taken out of the running, right before the convention
starts.  Perhaps they die.  Perhaps there's some scandal which makes them
unelectable.
Dan Goodman
Journal <url> 
Decluttering: <url>
Predictions and Politics <url>
All political parties die at last of swallowing their own lies.
John Arbuthnot (1667-1735), Scottish writer, physician."
    @nolooke: ""Mike Ralls" <email_address> wrote in message 
news:<email_address>
<quote>
 I think it's possible but managed so that it doesn't occur: A limited 
number of serious candidates plus 'others' who get little party $$$ or 
support and eventually withdraw.
 My understanding is that the current method was a backlash against the 
backroom dealings of brokered conventions where unknown people selected the 
nominee.
 But given technology I can think of an alternative.
 Primaries as they are now. As long as your candidate is on the ballot your 
vote for that person stands. But once the candidate withdraws/is dropped 
then your vote is unlocked. You can now vote for one of the remaining 
candidates. Whether or not you listen to your candidates opinion on who to 
support is your choice.
 It pretty much removes the delegate/proxy issue.
 Hey, if the voting for American Idol can be managed via phone/internet why 
not for the Reps and Dems?
'Don't blame me,
 I voted for Kodos!'                  -homer simpson"
    @nolooke: "<email_address> wrote in message 
news:<email_address>
<quote>
                                        ~~~~~~~~~~~
 Ummmm... You misspelled 'Dick Cheney'.
:)"
    @douglasxhoff: ""David Kohlhoff" <email_address> wrote in message 
news:<email_address>
<quote>
true.
Yes it is a possibility.  Supposing the Dems dont get their act together to 
pick up a few seats in 06 (which seems highly likely) and the social 
conservative wing of the GOP continues to view the victory in 04 as a 
ringing endorsement of their cause.  They could get greedy - _way_ greedy, 
and stand by a far-righter who puts the backs up of the 
economic-conservative, social-moderates.
Agreed.  It is not likely.  Pragmatism asserts itself.  That is why a 
dead-bang-loser of a Democrat (Teddy Kennedy, Jesse Jackson, etc) is 
essential for the scenario.  Both sides of the GOP would have to firmly 
believe that the GOP candidate was going to win no matter who it was to 
forgo a show of unity and press their demands.
Doug
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend.
Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.
Groucho Marx
<email_address> (take out x'es)
<url>"
    @dsgood: "<quote>
Some time in the 1960s, I think.
Dan Goodman
Journal <url> 
Decluttering: <url>
Predictions and Politics <url>
All political parties die at last of swallowing their own lies.
John Arbuthnot (1667-1735), Scottish writer, physician."
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